Oakland – Krista + Rosie, Realtorshttp://kristashouse.com
Hi friends! We are Krista + Rosie, the brains behind the Krista + Rosie Team. Powered by Abio Properties we are a top producing real estate team working {and having fun} in Berkeley, Oakland and the surrounding areas. From buying + selling to DIY + home decor to plumber + gardener recommendations we are your one-stop-shop for all things real estate.Mon, 02 Apr 2018 18:19:45 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.9311953237827 Sterling Offers Function and Flexibility for a Multitude of Lifestyleshttp://kristashouse.com/blog/2018/03/18/7827-sterling-offers-function-flexibility-multitude-lifestyles/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2018/03/18/7827-sterling-offers-function-flexibility-multitude-lifestyles/#respondSun, 18 Mar 2018 17:16:25 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3568Welcome to 7827 Sterling Drive, a charming home located on a peaceful street lined with trees in the King Estates neighborhood of Oakland. This home offers flexibility for a multitude of lifestyles. When we first met the Seller in the Summer of 2016 we were holding open another home a block away, on Greenly Drive. James […]

]]>Welcome to 7827 Sterling Drive, a charming home located on a peaceful street lined with trees in the King Estates neighborhood of Oakland. This home offers flexibility for a multitude of lifestyles.

When we first met the Seller in the Summer of 2016 we were holding open another home a block away, on Greenly Drive. James walked into our open house and mentioned he had a home located on the next block over that he and his wife had restored about 10 years ago. He and his family moved out of the area and have been renting it the past few years; his tenants had just moved out and he was preparing to paint it, and deciding whether he should sell or rent it.

After the open house we walked over to take a look.

We spent about 45 minutes walking through the house and discussing the Seller’s needs. It was a charming home, full of style, and it was clear they put a lot of sweat-equity, hard work, and care into the house. When they purchased the home it was a “handyman’s special” – according to the Seller that was an understatement. The floorplan was a little unusual and after spending the next four years stripping down walls to the studs, replacing holes in the roofs, pouring foundations, replacing tile, rehabbing rooms and re-working hallways they had a comfortable, functional home that they could entertain and grow their family in.

Before, 2004

After, 2018

The Seller’s wife handmade all of the decorative shutters the line the outside windows and picked a custom, artistic palette of paint for the interior. They completely re-built the back cottage so family had a comfortable place to stay while visiting. They had originally planned to turn the studio into a master bedroom but decided they wanted to keep it as a separate space.

After finishing the house they terraced the garden and planted vegetables, fruit trees, and bouganvilla. In the front yard they planted orange and plum trees and a tigerlily and magnolia; in the back is a mandarin and apricot tree. Rhubarb, which still happily grows, was harvested for rhubarb jam and tomatoes proudly grew. A tree swing was installed under that grand oak tree, and a gate was put in the back fence so the neighboring kids could easily play.

Time passed and although the Sellers loved their home they were relocated out of the area for work. They weren’t ready to let go of their prized home and decided to rent it. On a visit to the house in the Summer of 2016 James stopped into our open house and after talking it through with us thought that maybe the time was coming to sell the house.

Based on the market when we first met, James and his wife decided to paint it and continuing renting, it just didn’t feel like the right time. We set them up with a Seller’s search account through the MLS so they could stay on top of the market. We stayed in touch, and earlier this year they made the hard decision to sell. They had a terrific tenant and didn’t want to displace her, but ultimately the time had come.

We are proud to have been chosen to list this incredible home that has such a sweet history. The main house is 2 beds + 1 bath with hardwood floors, updated bath and a quaint living room that looks out onto the Oakland Hills. The spacious kitchen has been updated and opens to the backyard, perfect for year-round enjoyment + entertaining.

Exterior stairs lead to a large in-law with private entrance, full kitchen + ¾ bath– use it as an in-law, a studio, home office, or add interior access to create a beautiful master suite. Walk up the pathway through the terraced garden and you will find a second studio space with ¾ bath. This peaceful studio retreat features vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and overlooks the garden + hillside. The backyard is still a gardener’s delight and ready for new vision – fill the planter boxes with flowers or create an edible garden. There is a 1-car garage, plenty of storage, and space for your own workshop.

With so many options how would you use the space? Keep it as an investment property – it already has a great tenant – or purchase it to live in: live in the main house and rent the studio or keep it for yourself!

]]>http://kristashouse.com/blog/2018/03/18/7827-sterling-offers-function-flexibility-multitude-lifestyles/feed/035683405 Wisconsin, 3 beds + 2 baths in the HOT Laurel Districthttp://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/04/06/3405-wisconsin-3-beds-2-baths-hot-laurel-district/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/04/06/3405-wisconsin-3-beds-2-baths-hot-laurel-district/#commentsThu, 06 Apr 2017 22:12:19 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3458We just listed this SWEET 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in the HOT Laurel District. 3405 Wisconsin is a terrific RANCH-style home. Welcome to 3405 Wisconsin Street., a gorgeous, single-level home located in the Laurel District. This tastefully updated 3 bed, 2 bath home has been well-cared for over the years. As soon as you […]

We just listed this SWEET 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in the HOT Laurel District. 3405 Wisconsin is a terrific RANCH-style home.

Welcome to 3405 Wisconsin Street., a gorgeous, single-level home located in the Laurel District. This tastefully updated 3 bed, 2 bath home has been well-cared for over the years. As soon as you approach the house you will instantly notice the beautiful planter boxes framed by diamond-laced windows. The front walkway is lined by a colorful array of drought-tolerant plantings with a towering redwood above.

Once inside you will be facing a large tiled entry overlooking the living room. Framed by a large picture window and a beautiful brick fireplace the living room provides a sunny + comfortable place to relax and unwind. The spacious bedrooms and master suite are located on one end of the house and the living space on the other- perfect for entertaining! Features include: gourmet kitchen + dining room w/built in brick oven, bonus room (think family room or office), huge laundry room, spacious master bedroom and a 2 car garage with workbench.

Outside there is a large deck that can be enjoyed year-round. The pergola, dressed in fun party lights, creates a sense of privacy and character. The Seller’s have used this as an extension of their home by adding in a couch, table and table top fire pit. This is a great space to host parties, BBQ, or wind down at the end of a long day. The other side of the house features a large, sunny garden where you can grow everything from plants to veggies to fruit trees.

We always ask Sellers what drew them to their house. For the owners it wasn’t just the style of the house but the neighborhood. The neighbors were so friendly at they instantly felt at home. Jordan Park was a huge draw for their family, as was the proximity to the shops + restaurants on MacArthur Blvd. The huge success of Sequoia Diner has put the Laurel District on the map as the next cool spot. 4505 Burgers, Taprooms, and niche gift stores are all entering the Laurel scene. The Transbay bus is nearby, and that was also a big draw.

]]>http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/04/06/3405-wisconsin-3-beds-2-baths-hot-laurel-district/feed/13458The Next “It” Spot: The Laurel Districthttp://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/03/20/the-next-it-spot-the-laurel-district/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/03/20/the-next-it-spot-the-laurel-district/#respondTue, 21 Mar 2017 03:20:20 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3425First it was Temescal, then “Uptown” Oakland, and recently West Oakland. Now it is the Laurel District! Ok, now I am sure there are those of you who will say that The Laurel District was already pretty cool. But when food and shopping become an anchor, meaning, a reason to visit a neighborhood, that is when the […]

]]>First it was Temescal, then “Uptown” Oakland, and recently West Oakland. Now it is the Laurel District! Ok, now I am sure there are those of you who will say that The Laurel District was already pretty cool. But when food and shopping become an anchor, meaning, a reason to visit a neighborhood, that is when the area really takes off. Fast forward from 2015 to 2017 and you will see amazing things happening in the Laurel.

I am sure you are reading this and thinking “So what’s coming?”

Ever since Sequoia Diner opened their doors in May 2015 there have been lines out the door. This little mom-and-pop shop specializes in breakfast and brunch and makes everything from scratch. They feature home-made breads, pastries, sausages and jam. The biscuits are AMAZING!! Definitely worth getting. The owners have done a terrific job of really incorporating the style and feel of the diner into the neighborhood. Located at 3719 MacArthur.

The trendy homegoods and clothing store, “Therapy,” is another new addition to the neighborhood. Located at 3731 MacArthur this store features everything from small novelty items to retro furniture and clothes. Rosie and I walked in the other day and were blown away by the selection at this particular location.

Homestead Apothecary has a store in Temescal, and now there is one in the Laurel. Located at 3807 MacArthur this quaint herbal apothecary provides affordable herbal education and showcases local artists and herbalists.

Opening any minute is Degrees Plato, a taproom and bottle shop catering to community-oriented gatherings. The locally owned and operated casual dining restaurant will feature craft brews and small bites with a latin-flare. This spot looks like it will be right up our alley! Can’t wait to check it out. 4251 MacArthur @ High.

Speaking of beer, the Laurel Beer Garden is getting closer to opening. There has been some pushback from the local community but looks like they have applied for the beer + wine license and are moving forward. The beer garden will offer 20 beers on tap and local pub food. Directly next to the Laurel Beer Garden there appears to be a chocolate gelato cafe, headed by Bramosia Chocolates company, in the works. The owner of the building for both the beer garden and the chocolate shop is spearheading the project. The beer garden and chocolate shop are located at 3721 + 3725 MacArthur.

]]>http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/03/20/the-next-it-spot-the-laurel-district/feed/03425Three Reasons to Visit Lake Merritthttp://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/03/02/three-reasons-to-visit-lake-merritt/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/03/02/three-reasons-to-visit-lake-merritt/#respondFri, 03 Mar 2017 05:35:08 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3416Posted by the cool peeps at Berkeley Hills Realty So you’re thinking to yourself, “What should I do today where I can get great exercise and do some people watching while I am at it?” Or you think to yourself, “My kids need to get out today and I want to go somewhere that is […]

So you’re thinking to yourself, “What should I do today where I can get great exercise and do some people watching while I am at it?” Or you think to yourself, “My kids need to get out today and I want to go somewhere that is fun for them and not too draining on me.” Or you may think, “I want to take some beautiful photos and my teen wants to get some great Instagram shots. Where should I go?”

The answer to all of them is..Lake Merritt in Oakland!

Running/Walking/Strolling

Lake Merritt is exactly a 5k all the way around, 3.2 miles and a 45 minute walk. If you are jogging at a normal pace, you can do it in 30 minutes, which is a perfect work out. Best part? You get to see natural beauty, as well as other people enjoying their time along the way. If you park at 7th and Oak street, parking is free and you can add a few blocks of warm up time to your routine. You can also park at 22nd Street near Kaiser Plaza for $12, which puts you two blocks from the lake and running path and you can run to the lake and check out the Cathedral Christ of the Light church for its beautiful architecture.

Children’s Fairyland

Fairyland Entrance

If you are a parent of a child under the age of 10, you may have heard of Children’s FairyLand. This is Oakland’s answer to where you can take your kids and have fun in a “throwback” park that caters to young children. Arguably the centerpiece of Fairyland is the children’s theater on the southern end and the 61-year-old puppet theater to the north – which still uses marionettes that were costumed by Frank Oz‘s mother, and hosts the oldest continuously run puppet show in the nation.

Insta-Good Photos

Insta-goodness of Krista’s daughter

So your teenager won’t go out with you in public, but if you tell them there is a great place for them to take selfies, Tumblr photos, and “Instagood” photos, they just may go with you to Lake Merritt. And if YOU enjoy taking photos of local wildlife, including a myriad of birds, as well as reflection photos, this will be a great day for you both. Check out Instagram using the hashtag #LakeMerrittOakland for ideas for photos or take your camera and let life unfold in front of you for photos that capture life. For you garden/flower/landscape nuts, there are no less than five different gardens at Lake Merritt. Check out the Bonsai Garden, the Rhododendron Garden, Torii Gate Garden, Vireya Garden, and the Sensory Garden for fantastic photo opportunities.

The Future

Slated for construction is the Lake Merritt to Bay Trail (LM2BT) Connection which will close a key gap between the San Francisco Bay Trail and Lake Merritt trail systems. It will provide a safe ADA-accessible Class I multi-use pathway that connects BART, AC Transit, and Chinatown to the Oakland Estuary, Amtrak Capitol Corridor, Jack London Square, and the Brooklyn Basin Development for commuters and recreational users. This will be another place to run, discover with your children and photograph!

Learn more about Lake Merritt’s history and an interesting story about its “Necklace of Lights” featuring 126 lamp posts first lit in 1925.
Krista and Rosie love this community and would love to share more about it with you if you are considering a move. Contact us at (510) 612-5546 or (510) 610-0702 for your home buying or selling desires!

]]>http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/03/02/three-reasons-to-visit-lake-merritt/feed/03416East Bay Realtors Come Together to Support the Victims of the Ghost Ship Fire in Oaklandhttp://kristashouse.com/blog/2016/12/07/east-bay-realtors-come-together-to-support-the-victims-of-the-ghost-ship-fire-in-oakland/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2016/12/07/east-bay-realtors-come-together-to-support-the-victims-of-the-ghost-ship-fire-in-oakland/#respondWed, 07 Dec 2016 19:53:23 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3371Our office, Berkeley Hills Realty, along with the entire East Bay community, is grieving the loss of 36 young lives in the recent massive warehouse Ghost Ship fire that occurred on December 2nd in the Fruitvale District of Oakland. The East Bay artist community makes the region vibrant and eclectic and many lives have been […]

Memorial at Highwire Coffee in Albany for 2 of the employees who tragically lost their lives in the fire

Our office, Berkeley Hills Realty, along with the entire East Bay community, is grieving the loss of 36 young lives in the recent massive warehouse Ghost Ship fire that occurred on December 2nd in the Fruitvale District of Oakland. The East Bay artist community makes the region vibrant and eclectic and many lives have been affected by this tragic event.

Red Oak Realty, a fellow East Bay real estate company, has a non-profit component called ROOF-Red Oak Opportunity Foundation and quickly created a fundraiser to help those affected by the fire. ROOF started with a matching fund of $2500; our terrific office jumped right in and also matched that $2500. What I love about this is that our local real estate offices, who are competitors on the surface, don’t care about the competition. We all step up when it is needed.

From now through December 12th, all contributions to ROOF, will be matched up to $5000 and go to support the communities, first responders and families affected by the fire.

We are so grateful to Red Oak Realty for setting this up, and to my office, Berkeley Hills Realty, for matching the call.

The local non-profit, Gray Area Foundation for the Arts, has established a fundraiser through YouCaring.com for those affected by the fire. The Oakland/Berkeley Association of Realtors, through their Community Funds Program, is also offering a matching donation to help the victims’ families with unexpected costs up to $5000 towards the fundraising goal of the Gray Area Foundation.

Our Realtor community is an amazing and caring group of people and we all are sending prayers to everyone affected by the fire.

]]>http://kristashouse.com/blog/2016/12/07/east-bay-realtors-come-together-to-support-the-victims-of-the-ghost-ship-fire-in-oakland/feed/03371The $1 Listinghttp://kristashouse.com/blog/2016/10/17/the-1-listing/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2016/10/17/the-1-listing/#respondMon, 17 Oct 2016 21:50:38 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3353So there is a new listing that just hit the market located 927 33rd St. in Oakland. Listed with Keller Williams San Carlos this new listing is creating a lot of fuss. Why? Because it is listed for only $1. Yes, $1. The agent notes the following: “Very Creative Seller, Very Savvy and seller has high […]

]]>So there is a new listing that just hit the market located 927 33rd St. in Oakland. Listed with Keller Williams San Carlos this new listing is creating a lot of fuss. Why? Because it is listed for only $1. Yes, $1.

The agent notes the following: “Very Creative Seller, Very Savvy and seller has high knowledge about Real Estate. Seller has right to refuse or accept any offer.”

Is this for real? Yes it is.

There is a big discussion happening amongst the real estate community on a particular facebook thread. Here are some of the highlights:

“This has created a true auction”

“This breaks the agent’s obligation to fair and honest dealings with the other side”

“This makes agents look like baboons”

“I have a client on a tight budget who would happily pay 100% above the listed price”

“It is an invitation for a lot of angry agents and buyers to step forward”

“I have to admit, I secretly always wanted to try this and see what would happen”

“REALTORS® shall be honest and truthful in their real estate communications and shall present a true picture in their advertising, marketing, and other representations.”

“For the sake of discussion, how is this any different than the all-too-common $699k listing in a $1M neighborhood?”

About 35 comments into the thread the owner of the property chimes in. “Hi all, interesting reactions here. As the long-time investor who’s listing the house, I’d like to clarify a few things: I’ve had a longstanding relationship with this agent, and she is being made whole financially, regardless of the final sales price. As many people have speculated, this is indeed like an auction. Whatever offers come in, the highest one will purchase the house, simple as that. You’ll notice that there’s no “we’re not setting a price, it’ll be like an auction” option on the MLS, so a $1 listing it is. On Sunday we had a great turnout and some good offers in already (!!!), so we’re quite satisfied with how it’s gone. You can either take advantage of the hype that something like this generates, or not use it and let it stay that much more powerful for other real estate professionals. The choice is yours. It’s not something to use on every listing, but it’s been great so far for me. If you want to know how it plays out in the end, I’ll post the results on Facebook.”

Super interesting stuff here. I don’t actually have a problem with it. It is a marketing strategy that is clearing garnering A LOT of interest. The agent is getting a lot of exposure and the property is getting a lot of exposure – doesn’t that make for a successful marketing plan? The Seller is an investor which means that if he/she has a good product, and a lot of eyes are on it, other buyers may seek out his listings.

I absolutely do not like our current strategy of “list low, get a lot of offers, sell high.” I wish that we would get back to the good ol’ days where we would list at a price the Seller’s would take. But until then, list it for $1 or $100. The only people truly affected are those buyers who won’t see it because it didn’t pop up on their search. This house will sell in the mid-$600’s so if their search is set to a minimum of $500,000 they will never see it. But will it matter? We will know in a few weeks.

]]>http://kristashouse.com/blog/2016/06/12/8032-greenly-virtual-tour/feed/0328430 Alvarado Place – Currently Accepting Buyers!http://kristashouse.com/blog/2016/06/04/30-alvarado-place-currently-accepting-buyers/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2016/06/04/30-alvarado-place-currently-accepting-buyers/#respondSat, 04 Jun 2016 21:44:50 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3266Come one, come all! Above the Claremont District in Berkeley you will find Alvarado Road, a windy yet picturesque road that gently climbs the hillside above the Claremont Hotel. The hillside is dotted with a plethora of walking paths; off of Alvarado Road you will find Alvarado Place, a small street that is centered between the Evergreen […]

Above the Claremont District in Berkeley you will find Alvarado Road, a windy yet picturesque road that gently climbs the hillside above the Claremont Hotel. The hillside is dotted with a plethora of walking paths; off of Alvarado Road you will find Alvarado Place, a small street that is centered between the Evergreen Path and Eucalyptus Path. Interesting note: According to the BAHA Archives Alvarado Place was originally called Hotel Place.

JUST LISTED IN THE HISTORIC HOMES ABOVE THE CLAREMONT HOTEL!

30 Alvarado Place, Berkeley

30 Alvarado Place is an elegant home located above the Claremont Hotel. Built in 1923 this impeccable home features absolutely stunning views of the Claremont Hotel and the entire bay.

4 bedrooms

3 bathrooms

Beautiful, park-like yard

Spiraling staircase

BIG views

Close to Domingo shops

Drought-tolerant garden

Period details

Enclosed decks

Beautiful sunsets

Sunny living room

Beautiful dining room windows with big views

Judy’s Garden is in back

Rosie will be hanging with Nancy at the open house on Sunday June, 2-5pm. Stop by and say hi!

]]>http://kristashouse.com/blog/2016/06/04/30-alvarado-place-currently-accepting-buyers/feed/03266Oakland Home Prices: It’s Crazy Out There Folks!http://kristashouse.com/blog/2015/07/16/oakland-home-prices-its-crazy-out-there-folks/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2015/07/16/oakland-home-prices-its-crazy-out-there-folks/#respondFri, 17 Jul 2015 02:00:07 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3041You wanna know what’s crazy? Sales prices in Oakland. If you are a buyer looking to purchase in Oakland, I’m sure you have felt the surge in sales prices in the last few months. Well folks, it’s not your imagination: the median sales price for homes in Oakland is up 25% from the prior quarter […]

]]>You wanna know what’s crazy? Sales prices in Oakland. If you are a buyer looking to purchase in Oakland, I’m sure you have felt the surge in sales prices in the last few months. Well folks, it’s not your imagination:

the median sales price for homes in Oakland is up 25% from the prior quarter and

an increase of 19.6% compared to the prior year!

Over the last 5 years, sales prices have appreciated 6% in Oakland.

At the same time, inventory is down by almost half from last year!

This is creating such a crazy market – great for sellers, super competitive for buyers. Everyone always asks “is this a bubble?” Of course, there is no way for us to know. However, with the Fed keeping interest rates low money is cheap, there are more and more buyers in the market. Unfortunately, without an influx of inventory, it doesn’t seem like the market will have a chance to stabilize. Now, more than ever it’s important to have a strong team working with you, behind you—whether you are selling or buying – it’s crazy out there folks!

]]>http://kristashouse.com/blog/2015/07/16/oakland-home-prices-its-crazy-out-there-folks/feed/03041Spotting the Price Reductionshttp://kristashouse.com/blog/2015/06/17/spotting-the-price-reductions/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2015/06/17/spotting-the-price-reductions/#respondThu, 18 Jun 2015 06:44:36 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3036So, I have been noticing something that I haven’t seen in awhile…price reductions. More than normal. What could this possibly mean? Buyers are on vacation Buyers are feeling burned out Listed prices are starting closer to the expected sales price Seasonal cool down Unrealistic seller expectations But I am also seeing price increases, meaning it was […]

]]>So, I have been noticing something that I haven’t seen in awhile…price reductions. More than normal. What could this possibly mean?

Buyers are on vacation

Buyers are feeling burned out

Listed prices are starting closer to the expected sales price

Seasonal cool down

Unrealistic seller expectations

But I am also seeing price increases, meaning it was originally listed for multiple offers and the seller did not receive what they were hoping for. So they increased the price to what they would take.

I polled El Cerrito, Albany, Kensington, Berkeley and Oakland to see what things were looking like this past week. Here is what I found:

I work with a lot of sellers and the one conversation I always have is about setting expectations. In a fast moving-market that is full of emotion, it is nearly impossible to determine what a house would sell for. For the past 2 years we have seen such a huge gap between the listed price and the sales price. Now we are starting to see houses that aren’t getting offers on their due date, price changes, and houses being withdrawn. What do you think is happening?

I am going to continue to track these. I am curious to know whether the price reduction will get it sold with multiple offers, and whether the price increase will simply get it sold.